Reregistration of medical specialists in the Netherlands

Since 1991 all specialists in the Netherlands have had to get reregistered every five years in order to retain their place on the medical register.Although the criteria for reregistration were initially solely quantitative, being based on a minimum number of hours spent in specialist practice, qualitative criteria have now been introduced.A new law which is expected to come into force in January 2000 requires doctors to complete 40 hours a year of accredited continuing medical education or to be assessed in the workplace every five years.In practice, however, most specialist societies are requiring their members to fulfil both of these requirements in order to reregister. MethodsThis article is based on my experience as chairman of the committee of quality of care and member of the council on quality, science, and education of the Dutch Association of Medical Specialists (Orde van Medisch Specialisten) and on key references relating to quality management. 1 2 Further information was obtained through a net search (www.artsen.net).